Child and family social workers are the professionals who try to improve the quality of life for children. Whenever you hear about families living below the poverty line, children having a lack of nutritious food or reports of child abuse, a child and family social worker is likely coming to the rescue. Often this job deals with a range of messy social issues that could include abuse, homelessness, poverty, discrimination or illness. Child and family social workers are concerned with the social and psychological functioning of kids and their families. Daily responsibilities range from removing a 6-year-old from a foster home where she hasn’t received proper care to finalizing the adoption of an 8-year-old who will be placed in the hands of a loving family.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.3% employment growth for child and family social workers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 18,900 jobs should open up.

You can begin working as a social worker with a bachelor’s degree as a caseworker or mental health assistant. Coursework in psychology, sociology, economics and political science are likely to be useful on the job. Positions in schools and health care often require a master’s degree in social work, which generally takes two years to complete and requires an internship. Some states require a minimum number of supervised hours to begin working in the field full time, and all states have licensing requirements to practice.